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Monkman, John S.
Ithaca: John S. Monkman, age 80, passed away in the presence of family on November 26, 2012 at Cayuga Medical Center. Born February 28, 1932 in Evanston, IL, John was the son of the late Arthur and Adelaide (Sandfort) Monkman. John spent his childhood years in the Midwest, graduating high school in Batavia, IL, and earning his Master's degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. John was a music teacher in Hebron, IL, grades K-12, winning numerous state competitions for concert band, choirs & ensembles. John and his family then moved to Kirkland where he taught music in the school district, grades K-12. John later accepted a position at Kishwaukee College teaching voice, theatre, music history and theory. While in the Midwest, John established and directed the Woodstock Fine Arts Chorale, the Elgin Choral Union and The Loft, a community theater group. John was also organist & choir director for various local churches. In 1973 John moved his family to Williamstown, NY purchasing a Civil War era barn where the family established a homestead, small dairy farm and concert dinner theater. Here he opened a voice studio, directed community choirs, and served as organist choir director at various churches and cathedrals throughout Central NY. John also served as organist choir director at churches in New Jersey and Florida before settling in Ithaca and taking a position at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. John is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Begun Monkman; children, Sarah Blasi (Richard), Margaret Holm, David Monkman (Sun Young), Paul Monkman (Holly), Emily Sophia Monkman, and Jesse Monkman (Erica); nine grandchildren, Jessica, Katherine, John, Paul, Julia, Andrew, Mary, Rachael and Oliver; one great grandson, Anton. He also leaves behind his close friend, James Goldsberry and a large extended family. For those who wish to remember John in the form of a contribution, please consider Ithaca Children's Choir, c/o Community School of Music & Arts, 330 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Alzheimer's Association of Central NY, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204-1361. Family will be present to receive friends from 5-6 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Rd., Lansing, NY. A Memorial Service, officiated by Dennis Petragnani, will begin at 6 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Seven years ago we said goodbye. We miss you each and every day.
Margaret Monkman
Family
November 22, 2019
the reader's digest used to have a feature called "my most unforgettable character' or something like that...john monkman certainly was a candidate for my own personal most unforgettable character! he was certainly an amazing addition to hebron's schools and kids and I am sure to everywhere else he travelled. an amazing life--I am glad to have been included in a bit of it. thanks, mr. monkman! and my sympathies to mary jo and your family.
judy troxell zumwalt
August 9, 2013
I would never have discovered my own talent within had it not been for John Monkman, my college music professor, what an amazing musical presence the world has lost! He was a great teacher, father, and husband. Mary, I have lost my own husband recently, I know the empty feeling his leaving created. Keep the memories close, he may be gone, but never forgotten.
Joan Scott (Bischoff)
April 15, 2013
Dear Mary, Paul, Holly and Emily,
we are saddened to find out of John's passing. We remember him most as our voice teacher, who gave his knowledge freely without any reservation. We will always remember him as a great teacher and a caring neighbor, who went all the way to Syracuse to picked us up when we returned from visiting our home country, or simply be there at your Snyder Hill house. Krishna especially will always remember him as the one who directed him to be a tenor, and who introduced him to a great singing tradition that is now a rarity. We are thankful that God had led us to know John and all of you, to have been given free gift of music by a great musician and most of all, a great man. We would like to dedicate the following excerpt from our concert last year to him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqjHOGjjPZQ
(Krishna is doing the solo and Detty is in his left)
Love from Yogyakarta, Indonesia
DETTY and KRISHNA
Ignatius Krishna Dharma
March 28, 2013
I didnt sing in choir until senior in HS at Hiawatha high, but after knowing Mr Monkman, I wished I had started as a freshman. He was the first person that made me believe I could carry a tune. I will always remember him.His obit shows what a wonderful talent he was. Gods peace to his family.
Linda Bell Watkins
February 17, 2013
He was a great gift in Hebron--- those were wonderful years.
Russell Schulz
February 9, 2013
What a fabulous teacher and musician! I will ever be grateful for all I learned from him and for the wonderful times I got to perform with John and Mary. His legacy lives on in so many of us, his students, in his wonderful family, and with his many congregants.
margot fassler
January 24, 2013
Mary I was so sad to hear of John's passing. He was a wonderful director and a wonderful person. So pleased to have known him. My love and prayers to your family. Lisa Camilli
December 5, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Mary and Family. Mr. Monkman was my first piano teacher and I fondly remember those lessons. He instilled his passion and God-given gift of music in all he taught. May God bring comfort and peace to you all at this difficult time.
Becky (Weaver) Toro
December 2, 2012
I cherish so many memories of John's musical energy and vitality, and his powerful, independent spirit. Thank you John, for giving us a window through which to view the world in new ways. My heart goes out to Mary and the children. Your precious family is such a blessing. I love you all--across the years.
Cathy Bullock (o'Hara) Maxam
December 2, 2012
It was a privilege to care for John Monkman and to also see the faithful devotion of his wife and family. He always had a twinkle in his eye when I would talk about music with him or sing a classic, and often he would start singing along with me, joyfully. His organ playing was so special, we all loved to hear him play!!!
We, at BeachTree, miss him and pray for comfort and peace for his dear family at this time.
Sincerely, Georgia Poludniak
Georgia Poludniak
November 30, 2012
John had an extraordinary gift for teaching, and he was able to positively touch so many lives. Those of us who knew him, remember him so fondly. My sympathy to all of John's family members and friends.
Nancy Menz
November 30, 2012
We were too young to know how gifted and giving John Monkman was. I marvel at the man's energy and the quality of the work he pulled from us at Hiawatha.
Like many, many of his former students, I still take joy in making music.
Thank you, John.
Dan Myers
November 29, 2012
What a memorable teacher at Hiawatha High School I'm sure there must be thousands of people whose lives he touched in such a positive way. My
sympathies to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, John.
Mike Luepkes, Class of 65
Mike Luepkes
November 29, 2012
John had a positive and profound influence on my life. Through music he gave me a chance to be good at something, and as teenagers, some of us needed that. He was more that the best voice teacher I ever had, he was a mentor and friend who also taught me how to breathe properly. Mary, my warmest thoughts are with you and your family.
Don Ludwig
November 29, 2012
I remember Mr. Monkman telling us as we practiced "Oliver" that if it wasn't perfect that he would put the curtain down. I really believe he would because he wanted us to do the best possible. He knew how to bring everything down to a level of comprehending and his zeal for music was contagious. I was priveleged to be involved with the summer theatres and then when he started teaching at Kish, I was priveleged to be a student under his excellent leadership in music and theatre. His life influenced mine and so many hundreds of others. My prayers and heart reach out to all of you in his family. Thank you for allowing him to be involved in our lives and share your beloved family member with us. Mom used to help with costume design and is praying for all of you also.
Diane & Evelyn Knauss
November 29, 2012
So sorry to hear of John's passing. His special light through music will be missed but always remembered for sure by all of his adoring former students. My prayers are with all the Monkman family.
Nancy Heggemeier
November 28, 2012
I want to chime in after Barb. Along with everything she said (I did enjoy the VW bus), I want to say that the most important thing I learned from John was this: When you set the bar high and assume people will reach it, they probably will.
Dale Ludwig
November 28, 2012
Mr. Monkman touched so many lives with his passion for music. Who would have thought tiny Hiawatha High School would have offered music theory classes and opera productions? What other teacher would have driven his Madrigal students home in his VW bus when they didn't have any other way home? We were so fortunate to have had him for a teacher. He literally changed people's lives. My sympathy to Mary and family.
Barbara Ludwig Schwarzentraub
November 28, 2012
John was the teacher who had the most influence in my life! When I think of my high school years, I remember fondly how music was and continues to be so important to me. This is in large measure because of John. He made all of us achieve far more than we ever thought was possible. I would imagine the angels now have a new tenor and choral director to lead them! RIP
Judy Tindall Lacefield
November 28, 2012
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Marnie and all the family at this time.
Wayne DeMunn
November 28, 2012
he made a huge impact on every one he met. mr. monkman was an awesome teacher and will be lovingly remembered. my grankids love hearing the stories from all the musicals we did. thank you mr. monkman for all the great memories.
helen steele(grimm)
November 28, 2012
Rip mr.monkman your were a great music teacher..my thoughts and prayers to the family. Remember all the good times and cherish the memories.......
wanda mcmurray
November 28, 2012
R.I.P. Mr Monkman, you are now singing with the angels. Thoughts and prayers to your family and friends.
Karen Jordan-Lindenmeir
November 28, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Diane Disch
November 28, 2012
My thoughts and prayers to the Monkman Family. I will always remember John, he was so passionate about his craft.
Melodie Littlejohn Clark
November 28, 2012
Love to all John's family. John and you all will be in my thoughts and prayers forever. He was a brilliant musician and teacher. I learned more from John than I can say.
November 28, 2012
RIP Mr. Monkman, thank you for guiding us youngsters, you were my favorite teacher and I loved our drives to Woodstock Opera house. Thank you for all the time spent with me, some of the best times in my life....
Gene Duffy
November 28, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I will always carry fond memories with me. Sending warm thoughts and prayers across the miles.
Kathy Hucker
November 28, 2012
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